This morning I finished Three African Ladies, I am not sure if I like it anymore. I do think the border around it works well and the machined embroidered blue silk but the outlined figures are too heavy. I started off this piece sketching the figures onto tissue paper and developed it from there.I began making Three African Ladies at least 3 or 4 years ago.
I made another heart today, I started off quilting it then .....I added a metallic mesh, painted it, wove a dyed yarn into the mesh and well, you will see the result later when it is finished.

Yesterday I decided that I would begin making quilted hearts partly as a challenge and also to explore using them as christmas gifts. The result was not a quilted heart but a hairy felted version. I am hoping that the others will be quilted. Selena liked it and said that she wanted to make several to hang in her room.
Today I went back to a small piece which I had started several years ago. It is a piece with three females done on paper and silk. I will finish it and show it tomorrow. Then I will make more quilted hearts.

preparing for half term workshops

Today has been my preparation day as is every Monday. It is usually my day to get materials together and pack my boxes. I spent most of the morning trying to arrange my ideas onto a canvas for the workshops which are happening next week and planning for my school clubs this week. I have everything I could possibly need in bags and boxes all stacked up and ready. I do wish though that I had more space as I collect quite a lot of "stuff".

Today I finished my quilt Body Painting. I would not describe myself as a quilter but I have recently been creating quilts. I enjoy the use of printing, painting, stitching and embellishing. I find it challenging to combine techniques and love the effects created when these are combined. This piece was inspired by an image of a woman in the process of covering her body in patterns, I used both the image and the patterns in my composition.

On the completion of the quilt I went on to another piece of work which I had started previously. This piece is on canvas and I have again used a range of materials and techniques. I am hoping to add some images of these pieces here but as you know I struggle with technology and might have to call in help (Mel) to do this bit.

At half term I will be running a few workshops where I will be demonstrating a few techniques to a group of young people who will be taking part in an art competition. I will show images of my ideas for this workshop later.

Today has been a slow day. The quilt is not finished and I have not been able to take a photgraph. I am hoping that tomorrow I will be able to post it here. I am still trying to get the hang of this blogging process and anyone who knows me knows that I am not the best with technology. I am determined though to change that and I will become a pro at this soon.

My recent work has been inspired by the decorated skin and I will continue to explore this for a while yet. This piece displayed here is an example based on this theme.

Today is officially my first day as a blogger. After yesterday's excitement of setting it up with Melissa's help, I can truly say that I am taking full advantage of this new technology. I am hoping that this fomat will enable me to share my work and ideas with others, express myself with words and get feedback from anyone who might read what I have written. Well, I am hoping that at least one or two people will read my blog.
At the moment I am working on a quilt, the largest I have ever attempted and I am pleased with the results so far. I am hoping to include a photo of it tomorrow. I look forward to day 2.