Senior Moments and Junior Pic

Oh dear.... think I might have hit the "senior moment" era.
Computer has had an update... so that's why I spent about 30 minutes trying to find things which should have been under "My computer" - stupid machine has changed it to be called "This PC" - huh, why?  Look its doesn't take much to confuse my poor old brain.
Thought, running out of white felt, need to get some more.  Now this was always part of a ritual for me.  Back "home" visiting the old fashioned fabric shop which has been there for eons.  I used to buy felt there by the metre, and its the only place I knew I could get it by the metre.  Now I've no family in the town, returning home is difficult, not been back in a long time because simply not ready for it.  So... where to get some felt.
Easy get it via the internet.  So I did, and immediately an email to say despatched.  Errr so what's this big folded up piece of fabric sitting here then?  Ooops.
And I've promised myself NOT to spend without thinking.... so that's why last week I sent for some more paper to play with, which I don't need, and is in colours I never use.... heck the colour option is called Neon! Its hot pinks and oranges.

I'm bursting with ideas for an EG afternoon I'm teaching... considering its about 8 months away, little premature, and of course by the time the day gets here it will be, what was it?  Lists, and more lists, heck use my new neon paper to flag up where I put the list!

Now time for an animal update.  I've worked out that despite trying very hard to be a "proper" artist, sincerity, integrity etc - actually on the internet I get more responses and views when I add photos of kittens!!!  Hang on, just got to go to This PC to find them, tsk.

This is about a month ago, Bandit laying on top of Spike, look closely and you can sort which legs belong where.  Ssssh they have an appointment with the vet next week, what an early Christmas present to give them!!!

Excellent Talks

I've attended a couple of lectures recently.
The first by Rachel Gornall on her work and how she layers fabrics to make colour.  She was lovely, very enthusiastic, a good speaker.  It showed how pursuing a technique can produce endless possibilities.  And.... ta dah, she also uses elements of paper, so that pleased me too!

Then I had a day conference on restoration/conservation with Jackie Hyman.  Not really my 'thing' but I'm a huge detective/mystery fan.  So it was not only the historical information on the particular pieces in the talk, but also the how of unravelling the story, which intrigued.
Second element from Jackie was about conserving/looking after our own textiles.
As a conservator she said never ever lace embroidery when mounting it up. It creates strain points, where the fabric is likely to rip.
Well I was almost there with a high five, racing round the room yelping, OK there was an underbreath YES! I hate lacing work, I am no good at it.

photographed on black background

This piece is my headache.  Made way back in 1995 as part of City & Guilds studies.  It was an 'extra'.  The tutor wanted us to make a panel, of our choice, but within a timescale.  So I made this, laced the cream fabric to a board, and she failed it!  Not that there was a section for this task.   It failed because the base cream fabric was not on the straight of grain all along the edges of the board, the thread line waved, not much, but it did. However with a ruler the small surface panels measured equally to the edge. So I was made to dismantle and do it again, not much more successfully I might add.
Its not my only attempt at lacing, but I always seem to get the wiggle!  I see it now on other pieces, so I guess the lesson was learned.
However, I do now (partially) commit another sin for the textile restorer.  I use sticky tape.  Let me tell you, there's no wiggle now!  But its not something the restorer likes of course.
BUT in my defence I use sticky tape from the world of scrapbooking, where creating longevity of memories is the essence of making.  As such the sticky tape is acid free.  So I like to think I'm trying my best to be aware, not that I expect my work to exist in 100 years!
Oh and yes I mounted the piece above, again... this time using sticky tape, determined to get the grain lines straight, which it now has... not acid free tape at the time though,  but there's no seepage of glue, 18 years on.  Ssssh don't tell Jackie!

Exhibiting Now (and poss in future...)

The Material Girls collaborative exhibition moves on, starting today until 10th January:

Also today, received the dates for the Rochford Art Trail next year!  I intend to work towards it, but its a while off yet, and is subject to submission and acceptance.

Rochford Art Trail

18th-27th September 2014

there will likely be special events during the Trail too.  The Trail has also won awards:

The Art Trail was named the winner in the ‘Culture and Environment’ category for the East of England before going on to take the overall prize for the East of England.

Judges of the Towns Alive Awards said:

“The Rochford Arts Trail combines artists’ creativity with a level-headed approach to marketing a town and measuring the benefits. 
Importantly too, this annual event keeps growing and adding new twists so that visitors come back for more.”