I want to wish everyone who reads my blog a Happy, Safe and Creative 2012! For my part I wish that the troubles in Syria would end and worry about my friends as we can no longer email, I wish that there be peace in the world and that the useless death of young men and women in wars would end, i wish that there was more monetary equity in the world instead I see more and more money in the hands of fewer and fewer people- these are big picture wishes and I would like to be able to do more but often feel powerless to be able to do anything. I would also like to see less focus on celebrity ( this is a very personal peeve) and more celebration of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. On a personal level I hope to see my children continue on with the great progress they made in their studies in 2011,i hope and pray that friends and family who are dealing with the dreaded c illness continue to show the courage and will to survive that they have, despite moments of despair, and I wish to continue on with my Sentinelle work but will focus on different things- perhaps some of the concerns I have expressed here.And i hope to enter more quilt exhibitions and start a new body of work.
The last week since being home ( and whilst I was away) I have been exploring stitching by hand on paper. It's something I started about 6 years ago when I was looking at cross stitches and crosses in relation to expression, but wanting to have something to stitch on whilst away that was not too bulky to carry around. So I stitched in a Khadi book- i am really enamoured of book making and intend to do more in the coming year, though struggle with how to add meaning to a book. So I started stitching - initially just straight stitches, and recording when I stitched, to see whether my stitches differed at different times of the day or night or depending on whether I had eaten or drunk some wine- yes I know pretty boring really.
I couldn't really detect any discernible difference so decided to end that exercise. But how different do these strokes/stitches look compared to a stroke made by a pen or pencil?? Then I looked at altering the length of the stitch- intitally I started with colonial knots but they pulled through the khadi paper so I ended up using short seed stitches.
I love the effect because the fact that the paper is recycled from cotton rag gives it a very strong structure and a pleasing puckering( is that the right word? ) of the paper where the stitch enters and emerges from the paper- the texture is really really interesting..... and dare I say it I am finding a reason for stitching rather than drawing ( because my stitching really is a kind of drawing)- and it feels very textural under your hand.
So next I tried something which was quite drawerly, and though it is not readily apparent from the photograph ( one of the shortcomings in photographing stitching) the texture on this is quite different to a drawing and is exactly why I am drawn to stitch.... and then last- this took ages...
Again the photograph does not do it justice- the texture on the page is actually quite dense and undulating and completely different to a machine stitched line or a hand drawn line. I will keep stitching into this book and exploring differences.
France Itinerary for April 2012
Don't forget I will be taking a tour of textile enthusiasts to France on 11 April 2012- there is still time to book. I tried to upload a stand alone page with the itinerary but blogger would not co-operate. If you would like to see the France Itinerary for April 2012 please email me. We have some wonderful sights organised and the Quilt Expo in Beaujolais will be a highlight, as well as the wonderful Textile & Decorative Arts Museum in Lyon and the stunning Bayeux Tapestry.
My Sentinelle Catalogue is now officially for sale. The cost if $15 Australian plus package and postage which will vary according to the part of the world you live in- just email me if you are interested in buying one.
Travellers' Blanket On-line Class
And I shall be starting another Travellers' Blanket on-line class on the 17th of February 2012- again email me for details and cost.
The last week since being home ( and whilst I was away) I have been exploring stitching by hand on paper. It's something I started about 6 years ago when I was looking at cross stitches and crosses in relation to expression, but wanting to have something to stitch on whilst away that was not too bulky to carry around. So I stitched in a Khadi book- i am really enamoured of book making and intend to do more in the coming year, though struggle with how to add meaning to a book. So I started stitching - initially just straight stitches, and recording when I stitched, to see whether my stitches differed at different times of the day or night or depending on whether I had eaten or drunk some wine- yes I know pretty boring really.
I love the effect because the fact that the paper is recycled from cotton rag gives it a very strong structure and a pleasing puckering( is that the right word? ) of the paper where the stitch enters and emerges from the paper- the texture is really really interesting..... and dare I say it I am finding a reason for stitching rather than drawing ( because my stitching really is a kind of drawing)- and it feels very textural under your hand.
France Itinerary for April 2012
Don't forget I will be taking a tour of textile enthusiasts to France on 11 April 2012- there is still time to book. I tried to upload a stand alone page with the itinerary but blogger would not co-operate. If you would like to see the France Itinerary for April 2012 please email me. We have some wonderful sights organised and the Quilt Expo in Beaujolais will be a highlight, as well as the wonderful Textile & Decorative Arts Museum in Lyon and the stunning Bayeux Tapestry.
My Sentinelle Catalogue is now officially for sale. The cost if $15 Australian plus package and postage which will vary according to the part of the world you live in- just email me if you are interested in buying one.
Travellers' Blanket On-line Class
And I shall be starting another Travellers' Blanket on-line class on the 17th of February 2012- again email me for details and cost.
14 comments:
Wishing you a very happy New Year
Nicole/Beadwright
Back atcha, Dijanne, for 2012 -- best wishes! And your studies of stitchings are wonderful. I like your word "drawerly" -- it's perfect.
Have a good year, month, week, day, hour!
Your stitch studies are beautiful. I love the look of stitched paper and your's are exquisite.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year and I hope all of your dreams come true in 2012.
I can understand your concerns about your friends in troubled places and the world in general. I sometimes think that money is more important than morality.
Last year I tried stitching on tissue paper. I crumbled the paper and then did some machine stitching followed by hand stitching. I used 3 layers of tissue. I have been planning a paper quilt for some time. Must stop procrastinating and do it!
Will see you at Guild.
I share all the opes and wishes you expressed in your first paragraph. Most of us are helpless to solve the big problems, but we each help in our own small ways. One way you help is to be an inspiration and your art brings joy to others. My friend Diane has made a beautiful piece from one of your Sentinelles.
I like the stitching on paper. I haven't done too much of that, but I enjoyed seeing what you have done and may make my own book of stitches. I'll let you know if I do.
You definitely have great talent. I enjoyed reading your blog and found it very interesting. I would never be able to do that, I have a hard enough time drawing stick figures.
Best wishes for the year ahead Dijanne, you have some interesting travels planned.
The stitched book is certainly coming along nicely! The glimpses of the backs of pages are intriguing... definitely food for thought...
All the best in 2012!
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.
Hello Dijanne, Wishing you a satisfying 2012. I concur with you wishes for the status of the world, it a constant ditress for many of us. It would be quite worrying having friends in Syria at this moment and I feel for you. I am very taken with your stitching in the Khadi book, I think it is quite startling and attractive, hope to see more of it.
beautifull photos. and the blog, show.
What a wonderful book of stitches!
I can almost feel the texture you show and describe! :)
I keep coming back to your stitched book. I love it and the idea. It would be ideal to take with you when travelling.
Interesting post. Thanks.
Post a Comment