Phone call/catch up with Andrew

I had a phone call from Andrew on Friday and we talked about what I'd been up too lately. As always, I get freaked out by getting called but came away from our conversation feeling encouraged. 

One of the things I said I'd do was write up a "contract" stating I was to give myself permission to be imperfect, to make mistakes and remind myself that the destination is important but so is the journey.

 I need to repeat positive affirmations over and over until I start to believe them. (some days it's easier than others!)  

So.... I give myself permission to be imperfect...I release myself from any need to strive for perfection. I know that my imperfections help to make up the unique and wonderful person that I am. My imperfections enhance my beauty. All I have to do is look toward nature to discover the beauty in imperfection. In a grove of colorful trees in the fall, each tree is just as beautiful as the next, although not a single leaf is the same. With zebras, each one has imperfections in its stripes, which add to its unique beauty and individuality. I realize that those who love me do not love me for being perfect, but for being who I am,  including all of my imperfections. My flaws are an integral part of the total package. If I were perfect, I would be a different entity altogether. My shortcomings help me to grow and learn. Self-improvement brings the joy of success in knowing that I am getting better and better. If I were perfect, I would never feel this joy and I would have nothing to aim for. I would wander aimlessly through life. My imperfections also bring variety to my life. Because I am imperfect, I change as life goes on. I process my experiences in my own unique ways and I am a little different from one day to the next.

~o0o~

Textiles and Tapestry

 I swear I undo as much as I do! I guess to positive side of that is I'm learning what's not going right for me and by redoing something over and over I'm actually finding a way to make it work.

  "Through experimentation and play we learn, and with 

knowledge comes a confidence in our own abilities"

While we are still on the topic of weaving, I received some disappointing news today. My application was unsuccessful and I've been feel quite down since (I'm trying not to take it personally!)

~o0o~

Experimenting with felting

 I had another go at felting (and dyeing)

 This time using the correct type of fibre/wool 

and was pleased with the results. 

 The hues of the dyes used (some leftover fabric dyes) leaned itself to duplicating my koru weaving so traced the shape onto tracing paper, pinned and cut it out.

 After working it "into" the wool fibres this was the finished piece. I'm sure there's an easier /better (different) way of doing this but i had fun and looking forward to experimenting with more felting in the future. I'd love to make books with handmade paper and different sorts of covers, including felted. 

 Dyeing with cold pressed wool dyes
I enjoyed the process of dyeing with Earth Palette dyes which I purchased online.

What  I have realised is it's going to take a HUGE amount of fibres/core wool (and dye!) for my next Wearable Arts project.  Though I do know of a sheep farmer from The Bach so maybe I can do a bit of a "deal" with her .

~o0o~

Pottery/Ceramics

My Feet

 Worded hearts - these are going to have little magnets

glued on the back so they can be used for adhering

stuff to the fridge. Make nice little gifts too.

 

Experimenting with dyeing/felting - 7 hours
Ceramics/pottery - 15 hours
Tapestry/weaving - 10 hours

A bit of drawing and painting with Indian ink..

Yesterday I tried to do a little sketching.

I thought I could try drawing Kaeli

 I found it quite tricky and I got frustrated.

 ...so I drew a tree for my water colour background.

I plan to use Indian ink for this and include 

some journalling using the quote below...

 Speaking of roots, I thought I would try 

sketching this tree and it's roots.

Not entirely happy but like it better than

my first sketching attempt (of Kaeli)

 Indian Ink tree

 Found these torso sculptures online 

while looking for something else.

I think I might try sketching these for the

 Resource 4 Life Drawing #4 exercises

My felting efforts from the other day.

 They are looking rather "woolly" now

 they are dry *sigh* so more wetting,

 and rolling is needed I guess. 

I was warned though, by a fibre artist at The Bach,

 that some types of fibre are harder to felt than others.

Time: 3 hours (2/10/13)

drawing/painting

Felting and dying wool

So in between and after the plaster casting
I dyed and felt wool for the first time.

The wool was given to me ages ago by a friend.

I have some dylon dyes so thought I'd try them out

The fibres took a bit of prodding to wet them!

I soaked the fibres for approximately
an hour then rinsed them out ...

The green and blue were quite pale as I had some
 leftover dye from a previous dyeing so I decided
to make up a fresh batch and re-dye these two.

Teasing the fibre over horizontally

then vertically..

and across horizontally again.

Sprinkle with hot soapy water...and roll, roll
roll with the rolling pin until it felts...

..a bit like this. Next I lay out the orange and
sprinkled a little pink in the mix for fun.

Roll, spritz, roll, spritz...

The green and blue dye batches

..and after rinsing. Much happier with the colour this time!

Teased out on the bubble wrap

I remembered I had a spray bottle somewhere

Roll roll until it felts!
More pics to come.

Time: 6 hours (30/09/13)
Felting/dying of wool

Felting with wool

 I had a friend drop off some wool

so I've been doing a bit of research

about the felting process