Birthday Inspiration

 49 today:)
Started the day with a cuppa, Birthday Cards and this video by Darren Rowse which a email had sent me. Great to start the next year.
also this was on a card Gill gave me,"Life is not a Matter of counting the years, it's a matter of making the years count."
So true, so here's to the year:)))

Enchanted Nest

The nests in the window displays have come to symbolise 

how much we love our new studio.

These nests started off a twig garden display hats

which we trimmed and then decorated with strips of fabric, ribbon,

wool, thread and trims.

See the full photos on The Old Art Room HERE

I found this video on You Tube so you can make your

from chicken wire. Ours were made slightly different.

Circus Tent From a Folded Book

This is how I made the circus tent from a folded book.
This is part 1 and there is a part 2.
Enjoy watching and making.
See the beginning of my circus tent HERE

Cinch Machine

This is a new machine for my studio to help me make a dent in the papers I accumulate
with each project. I also like to recycle packaging and add extra pages to sketchbooks.
This will be a great help,I have been marking and single hole punching for years.

Interactive Graphic 45 Le Cirque Album

This Circus Album is such fun and great inspiration for ideas to come.

The Circus is Coming to Town

Happy New Year Everyone.
 I am introducing new new topics of inspiration and the first one is,
 'The Circus is Coming to Town'.
I have done lots of research and resource, sketchbooks and journals are being created
as well as related sewing projects.

Origami Fabric Gift Bag

This is a great bag made out of two squares of fabric.

Transfer Dyeing With Artstew

We have created lots of patterning and colouring of fabric in the studio
with transfer painting. Painting the inks and crayons onto paper and then transfering them
by using an iron or steam press onto fabrics.
This video is inspirational on how to use and recycle man made fabrics.
See my post on the studio site HERE

Shibori Techniques

 I have been teaching lots of dye and stitch techniques this month.

I love Shibori techniques and this video show a lot of techniques.

Shaving Foam Marbling

We had fun in the studio marbling and then experimenting with shaving foam and inks.
See the post HERE

Marbling Tradition

Double Trouble

I have been lucky enough to see the amazing duo several times and have a collection of their books and  DVDs. I have recently been able to handle a piece of Jean Little John's embroidery up close in the studio. See HERE So, inspirational. Enjoy this and more of their You Tube videos.  

Sharon Osbourne Textile Artist

Sharon was at Textile in Focus showing us some of the techniques she uses in her amazing books. This video shows how quick she colours a fabric surface with chalks and Markel sticks. This is also one of Jamie's great informative videos from Colouricious.

Canadian Smocking

 My PA Caroline brought in a round cushion that she had made and everyone fell in love with it so she taught the technique to the class. Above I found this video that shows the technique beautifully.
 See Caroline's cushion and the class HERE

Japanese Lily Bag

These are the larger versions I have been making at class.

We use two squares 13"x13" right sides together.

Sew all round then fold in corners.

Sew ribbon channel and fold and sew down 

corner flaps.

Draw string ribbon and you have a small gift bag.