Embroidered Boxes

For the past few days I have been making a textile box which was commissioned by a friend. I was asked to create a special box which looked exotic to be given as a gift, it did not need to have a purpose and should mainly be decorative. After showing my selection of fabrics (very small selection) a lovely blue metallic furnishing fabric was chosen, I got out my book Embroidered Boxes by Janet Edmonds which I had bought a few years back and followed her steps changing things ever so slightly.

I have really enjoyed using odd embellishments which I had collected over the years like the beads and the shisha mirrors and thought the end result was satisfactory. I enjoyed it so much that I will make another one just for the sake of it, it was quick and fun.

Things are happening

It has been quite a productive few weeks for me, the mixed media Masai Girl has been completed (detailed image below) and I have been working steadily on the Ilatmil hanging which I started some time ago and I am pleased with it's progress. It still has a bit more work to be done but it is getting there.

Last Thursday in a bid to get involved in as many new projects as possible, my friend Ricky and I went along to a meeting at the Junction in Cambridge. At this meeting they outlined an idea for a project to take place next year with input from professional costume makers from all over the world Barbados, Trinidad, Brazil. These artist will share their knowledge and expertise in the area of Carnival costume making. The project managers were looking for artists, dancers, children and teachers who might be interested in taking part in a number of different ways.

Of course because Ricky and I had worked together in the summer on a similar (lower budget) project we thought we would give it a go presenting ourselves as a team. It was really interesting and great to see the costumes close up, we had lots of laughs and enjoyed a vegetable curry together when we returned home.

Ricky too has been having a productive few months which has resulted in some of her work being in an exhibition at the Babylon Gallery in Ely, the exhibition runs until December 25th. If you are in the area have a look.
http://www.adec.org.uk/