Printmaking, Art Journalling, Weaving

PRINT-MAKING:

I finally "plucked up the courage to

 ink up my woodcut. I prepared myself

 for being disappointed and initially, 

I was... I just KNEW the background

 would bother me!

As you can see I couldn't "get in to ink up

the background behind the branches...

..and as I was only using the back of a spoon

to take an impression I've missed bits of the tree.

*sigh*

BUT...I'm actually OK with it, which is a HUGE 

step for me, I think. I'm sure it would print differently

using a proper press (which by the way, I could use

if I go to the Quarry Arts Centre) but sometimes 

you've just got to lower your expectations 

and be happy with what you get!

I took prints for my face sillouette.

I particularly love the tree coming

 out of my mouth!

Going to work some more on that idea.

Then I took a few prints in my 

art journal which I yet to complete.

I've got some text/journalling and more printing

(if I can find what I did my my leaf lino cuts!)

Grrr...things are always disappearing on me...

must be time for a clean up/sort out LOL)

I've also been working on another woodcut.

I really enjoy doing these and find it an easier

to work on medium than linoleum.

I was inspired by this image

and thought it was a knot of a tree

but my mum thinks its a thumb/

finger print which got me thinking

(not sure about what though!)

hmmm....suggestions?

It needs to tie in with

 my tree theme of course.

I just need to vanish this

and then take some prints.

CREATIVE ART JOURNALLING:

I have been really enjoying Jane Cunningham's 

CAJ group on a Monday morning.

It's  a great start to my week!

I'm going to add some handwritten journalling to my pages

.(not all pages are uploaded as they are unfinished)

TAPESTRY/WEAVING:

The Whangarei Community Tapestry Project

 After Art Journalling I go to The Bach 

and spend 3-4 hours in the afternoon hosting 

and working on the tapestry project.

I've been mainly focusing on the mountain area

and have learned how to "hatch" which is the

 method of blending two colours side-by-side.

A closeup of hatching.

As well as my weekly contribution to working on the 

community tapestry I've been working on my own

weaving projects at home.

I have FINALLY almost finished this!!

I'm sure I've UNDONE it 

as much as I've woven lol!

A closeup of the stitching which I've added afterwards.

I just have the gold "knots" to make on the tops of

 the "stamens"  I am SO very very much looking forward

 to seeing this OFF the loom!

 I bought a copy of "Weaving Made Easy" from FishPond.co.nz

 as it has lots of easy projects for the beginner weaver.

It also shows how to warp up a loom.

Regardless of the directions I still needed

 help first time warping my Tabby Loom. 

The ladies at the Weaving Group that meet monthly

at he Kamo Ladies Bowling Club helped me by firstly
showing me how to WIND the WARP using a warping
board and then threading the warp into the loom.

I got as far as threading up the heddle... 

...and tying the warps around one end.

The problem I have with the Tabby Loom

(I found) is it doesn't have the rollers other 

loom have which the warp winds around. 

In the meanwhile Beverley, from work

 (who has over 30 years weaving experience

 and also the Community Tapestry Master)

loaned me her Rigid Heddle Loom to 

practice on 

It's quite tricky getting the edges right and not 

pull the weft too tight after putting the shuttle 

through...but I'm getting the hang of it.

Love THIS WEAVING SITE and plan to
 try out some of the techniques and tutorials.

AND last but not least is the Beach Themed Tapestry"

I'm doing for The Bach. Again, I have done and undone

 this numerous times until I'm happy with it.

 I picked up some more blue yarns on

special from Spotlight. I'm liking the textured

yarns and the effect it gives visually.

CREATIVE HOURS - Aug 2014

20 hours - Printmaking

10 hours - Mixed Media/Art Journalling

25 hours - Tapestry/Weaving
12 hours - Soap-making