Friday, November 24, 2006

Band Sampler Creation





There's a second online class that I've been taking at www.joggles.com, taught by Sharon Boggins from Australia, that involves finding new ways to express embroidery on linen (as well as other fabrics) using a variety of threads, beads, buttons and laces in layers.
This is an interesting journey for me as I usually do counted thread work following a more defined structure within a band sampler environment. While elements of the band sampler are included in this work, I'm branching out to a less rigid approach to putting thread to linen.
This is a work in-process as the class is 6 weeks long and we've just started the 4th week. I'm posting 3 photos of the work so far. This sampler is done on 28-count hand-dyed linen and incorporates a variety of stitches, including Guilloche, Crown, Fancy Cross, Tulip, Feather, Lazy Daisy, Smyrna Cross, French Knots, Herringbone, Fly as well as having the edges hemmed with a double Antique Hemstitching. Couching and lacing techniques have been incorporated in the band section. I've used a multitude of different threads including hand-dyed silks, rayons, metallics, perle cotton and wools. Embellishments include buttons, seed beeds, medium round beads, bugle beads, black pearls and metallic lace.
The first photo shows the band section, the second one shows the full piece of work (so far), , with the final shot reflects the freestyle layering of stitches at the top of the sampler. This incorporates the concepts of Point and Line as well. Double click on the pictures for a large, up close and personal view.

There's still loads to be added and layers to be created.

Monday, November 13, 2006

Dolling up the Relatives



My sister Jody and her husband, Gary have been immortalized in paper dolls as shown in this posting. I printed their faces from a digital photograph.

They have been married for about 18 months now and Jody received a huge wedding ring which you will note I have paid homage to on her left hand. In real life she helps manage her husband's properties and in known for her fearsome ATTITUDE as she heads out into the 'hood to clear away debris, bad debtors, forbidden patio items and slothful employees. And Gary, well, he's just plain FEARLESS -- after all he married the lady with the ATTITUDE!
It was a challenge to make the Gary Doll more manly-man -- so I kind of went for the jungle look with all the leaves in his hair and on his leg. Click on the pictures for a bigger view.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

The 9-Page Starburst



















I tested my 9-page assembly line idea and here are the results. This was such fun and each star creation has it's own individual flair, yet you can tell they come from the same gene pool. This is a great way to make a number of these wonderful dolls all at once. You'll notice that they aren't decorated yet -- and -- they seem to have lost their heads! Watch for future posts to my blog to see how they look when they're all dressed up for a night on the town.


Method used: The complete pattern with mirror image limbs was copied onto 9 pieces of cardstock. Then the cardstock pattern was glued to the wrong side nine different decorative papers and cut out. Then the individual pieces were spread around to create 9 dolls - each with one of it's nine parts being from a different decorative page type. Glue the new 9-piece doll sets to the backing paper and cut out. Then assemble with brads. Voila! Nine sisters, somewhat the same, but each an individual.


I'm going to need to leave now and begin making their heads as they are running all around the room at the moment looking for them.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Here's Belle!!



Here is Star's friend Belle. She's all laced up, bejeweled and sequined -- all ready for a night out on the town. Belle is otherwise known as Daredevil. Double click on her picture for her 'Living Large' look.
This is another Carol Murphy design.

Revisiting Childhood with Better Stuff



I've begun making Paper Dolls. These are unlike any paper dolls I had when I was young, but I remember loving to cut them out and imagining their lives and adventures. Now, much later in life, I've come full circle and am working on paper dolls once again. Only this time I'm doing it with much better stuff.


I just finished "Star"; see her picture above (double-click on the picture to get a bigger view). She's decorated with exotic fibers, charms, sequins, beads, buttons and bells.
This doll is from a pattern by Carol Murphy, who teaches online classes at Joggles.com