As summer draws to an end so have my sketchbook tutorials, although I hope everyone who has been joining in over the summer will continue to work in their sketchbooks.
At the weekend I had a chance to join in a day class with Jan Beaney at our Embroiderer's Guild and it seemed a good opportunity to develop some of the images from my summer sketchbooks.
These photographs and quick sketches of daisies from last years work, had led to the monoprint collage below in this year's red themed book, which I though might translate well to an embroidered panel.
Jan was teaching a technique of creating a personal cloth by working onto a surface of water soluble fabric. (I should say before I forget, she was a excellent and entertaining teacher.) So I combined the layout of the monoprint with the colors of the photographs and came up with this panel below.
Layers and layers of both machine and hand stitch built up to create a dense fabric...
With a few beads thrown in for good measure.
It is still very much a sample at this stage but I think it could have potential to develop into a larger panel.
One of the questions I often get asked is how can sketchbook work be developed into finished pieces and there is no one simple answer. The point which I hope to illustrate here is that the more you work in sketchbooks and the more you work samples, the better informed your work becomes.
Other news here... I finished my final panel for the ERTF exhibition in Norwich... but I'm keeping it under wraps until the exhibition opens so you'll have to wait until next week. I've also received rather a lot of parcels in the post too... just look at all these cakes that have arrived already for my Pink Friday Party... and it's still over a month away! Of course my excitment was dampened somewhat when certain male members of my family pointed out the irony of raising money for Breast Cancer Care with knitted cakes that look remarkably like breasts!
There have been real cupcakes too (not that they deserved them) ... coffee and walnut though... I couldn't face pink cakes with cherries!
I don't think it's ironic that the cakes look a little like breasts -- it's wonderfully appropriate.
ReplyDeleteI like your daisy panel too.
You're too funny. Men! All those cupcakes look so cute together. And that daisy panel -- it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jane - breast shaped cakes are marvellously apt.
ReplyDeleteYour daisies - wow. And you consider that a sample? I'm not worthy.
That is superb Gina! I would have been extraordinarily happy if I had made that.
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to do a workshop with Jan Beaney. I was lucky enough to do one some years ago, and have long been a fan of hers. Your daisy panel is so beautiful - I just love it. I have fallen by the wayside with your tutorials having started an online course which is taking up my time, but am loving it. My cupcakes are in the post but not pink unless you count the deep pink cherries on the tops. Love the look of those coffee and walnut ones - my favourite.
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful piece of embroidery, and it is fascinating seeing how it has developed from the initial sketch book idea.
ReplyDeletePomona x
Jan Beaney was a blast from the past for me.I am sure I had a book of hers years ago.But perhaps it's different one.Loved your sample and your sketches.I wish I could draw.
ReplyDeleteI just love that panel - especially at this time of year!
ReplyDeleteoohh that daisy panel had my heart go all fluttery, it is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI love your daisy panel. I'm afraid I didn't get as much done with my sketchbook as I had hoped to, but I still plan to carry on with it when I get a moment. :)
ReplyDeleteAll your pictures have made me go "WoW"!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful daisy panel :-) I've made a cupcake but it looks more like a Christmas pudding with tinsel on! I think I used the wrong size needles!
ReplyDeleteI'm very fond of daisies, I love your embroidery. :)
ReplyDeleteVivienne x
I loved to see how your daisies took shape, amazing work
ReplyDeleteI bet your postie is wondering what is going on....:O)Wonderful cupcakes. Shall get my needles out anon....
ReplyDeleteLovely daisy panel. I have some water soluble fabric and must dig it out on a non hot and sweaty palmed day! ;O)
A sample?? Looks like a finished piece of work to me - it's lovely. Bring it with you next time we meet. I'm on my 2nd cupcake, and I have to agree with the boys - I already thought mine looked a bit 'boob-ish'
ReplyDeleteAll the cupcakes, both real and knitted, look fabulous and so does that beautiful daisy panel. Lucy x
ReplyDeleteFab daisy panel Gina but I am distracted by those cakes. I'm still at the stage of picking up the stitches for the brown section and struggling to remember how to do it properly. I hate knitting but you will get a cake from me before the deadline.... fingers crossed. Lesley x
ReplyDeletePS : the word verification for this comment is 'tormen' - add a 't' and it could describe my attitude to knitting!
Lucky you - I do admire Jan's work. Your panel turned out beautifully; I love the design.
ReplyDeleteGah! I absolutely love those daisies - especially how they peep from behind the grass stalks. It's such beautiful work!
ReplyDeleteOh your dasies are beautiful. I don't do much knitting these days but could I send you a crochet flower?
ReplyDeleteThe cakes look nice.
ooh, I'd love to do a workshop with Jan - your "sample" looks good enough as is, surely?! And the little books are intriguing. But I notice you're missing a cake - I'm working on it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful embroidery Gina, the knitted cakes look gorgeous, I can't knit for toffee unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI'm back at work now so my sketchbook has been sorely neglected. However, I was sorting out a load of blue fabric scraps the other day and started thinking, so watch this space....
Have a fab weekend.
twiggy x
Love the daisy panel!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you've used a touch of lilac to give depth to the daisies. its a gorgeous panel.
ReplyDelete