This is the work I made for the workshop by Jean Rill-Alberto.
The abstract design of geometric forms is first drawn, then stitched, onto paper. Some shapes I coloured in. It's fascinating to work with abstract shapes and to see what happens if you combine them, or highlight some of them. Also the stitching on paper is a real favourite of mine!
Something I have wanted to try for a long time is wet felting, a process of continually rubbing wool fibers together with soap and water to form a firmly felted object.
A workshop by Jeanette Appleton was the perfect opportunity : an exploration of contrasts in colour, texture and surface by using the felting technique on a sewed piece to which running stitch is added.
I loved this technique and the surprising results, for instance how different the silk fabric and synthetic fabric reacted to the felting process. It calls for more exploration! And using wool is always a big bonus!
I added some running stitch to silk and synthetic fabric, which then became the starting piece for the wet felting:
Inspired by another workshop I did with Saima Kaur (more information on the first one you can find here), I made this sampler with micro stories. I love the versatility, the humour and lightness of this method and will defenitely explore this further š.
For my second workshop with Anne Kelly (information on the first one you can find here ) I made these two collages. I used a calender with images of Claude Monet paintings, scraps of cotton fabric, silk fabric, ribbon and different kinds of paper (pages from an old book, illustrations, a paper napkin). I added some drawing, some painting, a bit of ink printing and a few embellishments. The pieces are then completely machine stitched.
This one is about my love for walking and the natural world:
I made some small wall hangings, using plastic lids I covered with fabric. I then sewed trapunto pieces on them, adding beads, buttons, little roses and lace.
I find this an original way to try out new things.
For this small piece I used a spider's web as an inspiration. The idea I got from Sabine Kaner, who often uses patterns and shapes found in nature.
I painted the base calico fabric with watercolour paint. The 'web' is created with different embroidery stitches and appliquƩ.
I used different kinds of paper for these little sketchbooks : Japanese handmade paper, pages from an old book, wrappers, sketching paper, decorated paper.
The pages are handsewn together with bookbinders’ thread.
The covers are unique designs I hand-painted with water-colour paint, sometimes with added embroidery.
The backs are covered (handsewn) with matching fabrics.
In every book I have all ready sketched a flower.
This is a labour of love and I hope these little books will end up with people who love to sketch, write or collect stuff in them!
(I will show and sell them at this local event on Sunday July 3th : Kunst Montmartre Beveren-Waas in Belgium)
I often hang sayings and crafted things in the window, in the hope that it brings a little happiness and the odd hopeful message.
Here you can spot my embroidered bumblebee, my craftivists banner, a lovely very pink rainbow and some great sayings from Flow magazine, one of my favourites.
I wish all windows showed similar things: our daily walks would certainly be more interesting and it would give lots of conversation material!
These collages are inspired by the work of Monique Day-Wilde and one of her workshops which I attended.
They are collages of paper and textiles with added stitching. Using paint I applied prints of plants to the paper. I used tissue paper and handmade Japanese paper, which is so lovely to work with!
I noticed again how joyful it is to stitch through paper!
These socks were knitted by my husband's grandmother, who passed away many years ago.
I could never throw them away because they are a labour of love but they got forgotten somewhere in a box in the attic.
When I came across them during a recent cleanup, I decided the time had come to do some serious mending. I used my cute darning tool and some colourful yarn.
I love this job and I love even more that we can use the socks again!
my cute darning tool:
