Anne B

Ruby's Spoon

2011-10-23T19:15:00.002+01:00

A newly-published writer visited our local library on Thursday. She is Anna Lawrence Pietroni and her book is Ruby's Spoon - a dark fantasy set in an industrial town in 1933. Absolutely magical. I can recommend it!

Bumblebee Glass

2011-10-23T19:09:00.002+01:00

My good friend Sarah James has launched her website bumblebeeglass.co.uk. She makes stained glass pieces and is now into fused glass jewellery. She also takes commissions. These Xmas decorations are so contemporary and, of course, each is unique. Take a look.

Moving on

2011-10-23T19:00:00.002+01:00

Since my mum passed away I've been thinking about what I really want to do. Top of the list - to finish two books I've been writing for YEARS, to persevere with Distant Stitch and to enter some competitions in the Spring. Phew.

If you ever get the chance, do visit Muncaster Castle in West Cumbria. There are lush gardens featuring a collection of rare Himalayan plants and the World Owl Research Centre.

And this - can you tell what it is yet?

I know, I know

2011-09-04T16:59:00.005+01:00

Before ....

I'm teetering on the edge of finishing Module 3, having had a mental breakthrough regarding the accessory. However I'm still messing about with distressing via discharge paste and I am trying to assemble a selection of fabrics for an Italian-themed wall hanging.

The red check had a more brown tone than the photo shows. I'm quite pleased with the way this turned out.....

Layers and layers

2011-08-19T16:39:00.014+01:00

Off work today so I completed my wallhanging for Module Three, having made some adjustments to the first version and taken note of Sian's comments about allowing movement.

This is the original centre "panel".

I couched a copper spiral shape in the centre disc and printed the word "spiral" on the radiating strips. At Sian's suggestion, I added the gold stitching to all 6 "wheels".

I painted and stamped a square canvas

I added a backing square of fabric at 45 degree angle to the central section. I added loosely-coiled copper wire spirals and wriggly gold wire twirls and couched them lightly.

I finished off with directional brush strokes with an almost dry brush in broad sweeps across both fabric and canvas areas.

Busy August

2011-08-13T16:55:00.004+01:00

Phew - Maggie Grey talk at Sutton Coldfield last week (fun!) and a chance to catch up with Julia Green. Off to Festival of Quilts on Thursday - quieter than previous years, but loads to see and admire. I was delighted to meet Chris Gray and husband Alan - lovely varied work and fab home-dyed threads, which I couldn't resist! It's so lovely to actually meet someone whose blog you've been faithfully following.

Today I took myself off to Solihull. Picked up some nice silk remnants at John Lewis. In the stash they go. Had to pop into a gorgeous treasure-trove of a shop - Toga and Loll. Look at their website - full of exotic, quirky, vintage and just lovely things. Always worth a visit to see what's new in.

Finally - this one's for you Chris. Remember I mentioned the barbed wire I had to make ?????

Home again, home again ....

2011-07-07T15:49:00.006+01:00

from Urchfont. Jan Evans and Mary Sleigh were this year's guest tutors, ably assisted by Lizzie. Sian gave unstintingly of her time to ensure each student had some one-to-one time with her. It was lovely to meet so many new people, as well as seeing familiar faces again. Please may this positive feeling last! Well, we had wasps in bedroom 6 and bats - not exactly in the belfry, but in one of the studios - only one tiny one, thankfully! Meg graduated and Eila found herself on the trip of a lifetime. Here's a couple of soothing photos of the grounds to keep you going ......

And this week it's dyeing

2011-04-13T15:19:00.004+01:00

Have been having such a good time playing with Myfanwy Hart's dyeing technique. It actually works. Have a look ...

Camera doesn't do justice to the colours. I've overdyed some samples to get the colour I wanted - in effect using the old watercolour painting technique of putting a coloured "wash" over the whole thing to lift it.

Dyeing is the sort of thing I like to do when I can't settle to anything else. Delia Smith roasts a chicken - I get out the rubber gloves!

This week I have mostly been ......PRINTING

2011-03-19T09:27:00.007Z

All thermofax screens supplied by Ineke Berlyn.

Ammonite - fabric paint on scrap of furnishing fabric contrasts with discharged sample on some shibori'd cotton.

A stylised leaf discharge printed on green cotton.

Dutch lace screen suggests moorish architecture and Indian cloth - or is that just me? I used discharge paste (Jacquard is ready-mixed), then overdyed with a light red commercial dye.

You might be able to detect scraps of the lace pattern in my creature bag - see
March 14 blog.

Below - I used the same screen on a really boring brown checked fabric, along with a few dollops of bleach. This is a close-up.

The one that got away

2011-03-19T09:23:00.002Z

When I was clearing up, found this little scrap. I just couldn't find aplace for it on my bag. I'm learning that you can't use all your ideas and you end up rejecting more ideas than you use.

Creature bag

2011-03-14T14:47:00.015Z

Finished at last! What a big fuss over a little creature bag. Remember the fluffy interior from way back? Here's some snaps of the finished article ....

Below - the "feathery" side - the bag is not meant to resemble a creature but has echoes of feathers / tracks / claws - the base fabric for the outer is a heavy cotton sateen that was a beast to sew .... and below it a close up

Below the reverse side - surface stitching resembling cells and also slashes and scarring ... and close ups below main pic

Below- both sides are the same. Again, use of net which feels rough, and jagged shapes which say, "Don't mess with me."

I tried to form a contrast between the downy inner and the leathery, scarred, spiky outer.

2011-03-10T10:07:00.002Z

Musical tastes differ BUT ...... if you like bands like Elbow, you will love the new EP by local band Silhouettes. There's a gorgeous video on i-tunes called "Paint me as you see me" and this alone is worth a look.

PS. I am working furiously to finish off Modules 2 and 3 and am indeed back on track after my time in the wilderness. Oh, it's nice to be back.

Obama bag and other stuff

2010-11-08T13:37:00.000Z

Where was I? Oh, you're still there. Good. We've had some work done on the computer (thanks, Dennis) and I've finally got round to uploading my pics of the "Obama" bag I made for a friend of a friend who lives in the US and worked on Obama's campaign. The central panel is a discharged themofax screen print of the president's inauguration speech. Many thanks to Ineke Berlyn for the loan of the screen.

I wasn't 100% pleased with the bag and it took me far longer to make than it need have done but it's over the pond with its new owner now and I'm told it has attracted a great deal of interest!

Workbox article

2010-07-17T20:09:00.000+01:00

We're in Workbox magazine! Well - Distant Stitch gets a big mention and some pics (including your necklace, Daniela) courtesy of Maggie Grey. It's in an article on web-based learning.

Please visit crafts4allseasons.co.uk for THICK felt suitable for bags/3D items, plus the biggest colour range of both wool and acrylic felt I have ever seen! They're about to start stocking bamboo felt which is so SOFT and comes in lot of lovely subtle shades. Fab quality.

Ombersley Church Fete

2010-06-20T19:28:00.000+01:00

My creative sister Tessa and I had a stall at the Fete yesterday. The Arts & Craft tent was a new innovation but seemed to appeal to quite a lot of people. It was a first for us but very enjoyable and we learned a lot. The "hearty hens" and the quilted bag are Tessa's. I made clay jewellery and displayed some drawings and watercolours I did ages ago. The jewellery attracted lots of little girls who were keen to have a little spend. It was lovely to see how solemn and serious they looked as they decided what to buy.

Ineke Berlyn workshop

2010-06-20T19:26:00.000+01:00

Sorry - no photos to show you. The workshop was great - screenprinting using discharge paste to create a fabric ready for stitching. Oh boy, did I enjoy myself! Ineke is lovely - the only tutor I've come across who bakes cakes for the students. Other tutors please take note!

Clay!

2010-05-23T18:25:00.000+01:00

Well - what fun I've been having experimenting with polymer clays. It's a no-pressure way to have fun after getting myself all worked up about C&G. Setting myself some (tiny) challenges has got me all fired up again and boosted my confidence. I was given some Fimo (oven bake) and had bought some Hearty (air dry without heat). Both give a similar result, although the oven-baked version feels smoother and more like "real" clay, whereas Hearty is sort of fibrous and has a little bit of "give", which is disconcerting. It feels warm to the touch too.

Sorry about the flowery background - it's a little glass chopping board I won in a raffle and it's very useful for clay work. Some of the clay pieces will be buttons or brooches - others will be fridge magnets. I've also started making a few fabric buttons using lettering. I feel this is something I'll return to again as it's just so enjoyable and easy to get interesting effects. Most of this stuff is meant for the Ombersley fete, howeverI wore one of the heart brooches last night and got a few compliments!!!

Malvern and Clay Play

2010-05-18T19:59:00.000+01:00

Spent an enjoyable afternoon at Malvern Quilt show on Saturday. Lots of lovely stuff on sale (you can never have enough STUFF). Bought some fabric, vintage-style buttons, bag handles but resisted all the tempting books. I intend to make some vintage-ey, rather twee brooches to sell at the Ombersley Church Fete in June. Also, I've been making some clay brooches, buttons and fridge magnets. Mixed results, but I'm enjoying doing something different.

NEC Show March 2010

2010-03-29T19:40:00.000+01:00

Enjoyed two days of this event. Very little of the new but some great work to see, and lots to spend money on. Nice to meet Lynda Monk of purple missus fame - she was demonstrating for Art Van Go. I felt really inspired and ready to get cracking again.

There was a memorabilia show in the next hall on the Saturday, and R2D2 kept buzzing us while we were trying to talk, plenty of people dressed as Star Wars characters and some weird goings-on in the carpark. Made stitchers look almost mainstream.

2010-03-21T14:15:00.000Z

Phew! In a fit of mad activity I have published a plethora of posts on my Distant Stich blog. Feel free to have a look. Some of the photos are a bit iffy and some chapters are nowhere near complete.

Oh that's enough excuses for one blog!

Bury me in a blanket

2010-02-08T22:10:00.000Z

But not yet! My other half works for a funeral director and I was intrigued to learn of the latest trend in funeral ware - gorgeous natural wool felt coffins complete with chunky blanket-stitched seams. I mean, how cosy is that? A nice thought to leave you with. Now back to work.......

Space - the final frontier

2009-09-24T09:22:00.000+01:00

Last weekend I had a massive clearout of the front bedroom, which henceforth shall be known as "My Studio". I now have a large (6' x 2'6") heavyweight worktable as well as my dinky pine desk and each day after work I have done a bit more clearing and sorting. Al's away this weekend so I shall really put some time and effort into the room. I shall take a photo and post it on the blog. I keep saying to myself - I deserve this!

New coursework blog

2009-09-16T20:40:00.000+01:00

As this blog has taken on it's own character I have set up a new blog to post my C&G coursework on. It's www.annebraveydistantstitch.blogspot.com - doesn't actually trip off the tongue but I think it says it all. Nothing actually on it yet - but will start soon.

Module 2 bag - watch this space

2009-09-10T10:34:00.000+01:00

My brain has been spinning with ideas for the exterior of my creature bag. I have scrapped my last prototype - pulled it all apart so I can start afresh. Mmmmm - feels rather good. Haven't scrapped the jagged "slips" I'd made - can work them in to the new design. I want the outside to have a jagged, spiky feel to it, which will contrast with the fluffy interior. I'm going to make a multi-layered fabric (using lots of stiff dress net for texture and "bite") and piece it with the spiky edges jutting out. I will then stuff the joins with some metallic bits and bobs.
Watch out - I have to finish this soon - can't let it go on any longer.

I'm also working on Mod 3 at the same time! Got some more button ideas. If only my body could keep up with my overactive brain. Hey ho........................

Angie Hughes & Hundertwasser

2009-08-27T20:54:00.000+01:00

This is a piece I did at Angie Hughes's workshop"Inspired by Klimt" in May - unfortunately I was unable to grab a reference book on Klimt as everyone else snaffled them and all that was left was a book on Hundertwasser. This boat is based on one of his series of pictures of boats - so not typical Hundertwasser. I added some sequins when I got home and have decided to frame it as it is.

Piece measures approx 8 x 5 inches. Click on image to enlarge.

I would recommend Angie's courses - she's very knowledgeable and extremely kind and patient - I can vouch for that!

Bevere Gallery

2009-08-26T10:19:00.000+01:00

On Saturday Tessa and I went to the Bevere Gallery. Lots of lovely Nora Fok jewellery - all knitted with what looks like fishing wire. Brilliant sculptures in the garden so I sneaked one or two pix of my favourite pieces.

Sheep under the trees (sculptures). the old rusting roller under the tree adds a nice rustic touch! Do you remember the wooden sheep at Urchfont last year???

Lovely planted ceramic piece by Nigel Edmondson. How organic can you get!

Festival of Quilts

2009-08-26T10:01:00.000+01:00

Went on day one. Lots of gorgeous things to look at... and buy, but I was very restrained for once. Angie Hughes was there, as was her friend Kim Thittichai from whom I bought some "hot spots" - tiny transferable glue dots that will pick up transfoils nicely for an unusual effect. Some amazing students/graduates, especially Fiona Wilson - lovely printed, gauzy pieces. Some fabulous vintage-inspired printed fabrics and also a trend for tweedy warm-handle fabrics for quilts, bags, whatever.

Some photos: Dancing Queen by Kathy Turner

For Sarah and Elizabeth by Macky Cilliers, South Africa

Think this was called "Light" by Leah Higgins

Lots of textile stars there, including Pauline Burbidge, Ruth Issett, Claire Benn - oh I could go on and on. I have challenged Kathryn (calico wrinkle) to enter something next year. Watch this space!

2009-07-22T09:56:00.000+01:00

Module Two: Resolved piece Anne Bravey

Item: creature bag

Dimensions: base: 25cm x 15cm, height: 25 cm approx

Back story:

I made a first prototype which was slightly too big and cumbersome, so I reduced the dimensions. This also had the effect of making the bag more stable when standing. The rather square, chunky base tapers into a curved, swan-like handle. The curve is echoed and emphasised by top stitching to suggest a wing, a feather, the direction of fur, even the footprints of a herd of migrating beasts!

I felt I would not be happy using every scrap of my home-made fabrics, so whittled my choice down to a few. Additional embellishments were also kept to a minimum for maximum effect.

The prototype was made from Funky Foam (what a discovery) and was relatively easy to cut and piece together. The foam is strong enough to withstand being used as a template for fabric pieces. In this case the sections have been assembled, taken apart and reassembled several times.

I noted your helpful comments about the interior and exterior being very different but complementary. I liked the suggestion that the inside could be a “tactile” experience, so decided to make it downy and soft, like a nest.

THE INSIDE
Create inner fabric from natural-coloured soft calico. This is cut and pieced with wide seams facing forward. These seams will then be frayed and “hacked” to give a feathery appearance and feel.

Front and back foam sections are joined at the top of the bag and the feathery fabric is attached.

Inner “handle” – printing onto gauze – “No creatures were harmed to make this item” – “NO” in bright red. Machined onto square of calico and frayed.

(Beware - bone "teeth" lurking within fluffy layers to trap unwary fingers)

Feathery fabric is applied to each of the remaining sections (base and 2 x side panels).

2009-07-15T10:32:00.000+01:00

Back from Urchfont - I so enjoyed it, especially meeting everyone and finding out what people were up to. I feel spurred on now to get down to producing more work - AND finishing that pesky bag! Special mention to Betty who was so generous with her time and helped get me on track with the blessed hoop thing.

2008-10-19T18:20:00.000+01:00

Papermaking tips
a recipe to make your own non-toxic wallpaper paster can be found on care2.com - or check out Auro for their organic paste - auro.co.uk.