Sunday, August 02, 2009

This is what I have been working on this morning. It’s not the shape that I wanted to show you but the actual fabric I created. It started life as bog-standard inexpensive gift wrap tissue which has then been painted, bonded, sprayed and waxed, several times and in different sequences to end up as a soft fabric with a metallic leather look to it.
These photos were taken outside but still don’t really capture the metallic sheen on the fabric. I have left this first photograph quite large so if you click on it you can get a better look at the fabric.
Front:Back:Side view:And a couple of close ups:
And speaking of tissue, I have also been trying a new product: polyester tissue. Its amazing. It reacts to heat in the same way as the Tyvek I use but is so much easier to stitch into after melting – no hard edges.
Ignore the colours in these samples. I am trying to be frugal and using up all the odds and ends of the colours I have which don’t normally get used – which makes me wonder why I bought them in the first place. I’m sure you all know what I mean. :)
This sample is just a plain piece that has been heated with the heat tool then painted with metallic inks.On this one I screen printed Molding Paste then sprayed with silk paints. The thick white lines are where the piece was laying on plastic sheet to dry. Don’t really know why I used Molding paste through the Thermofax as I know it doesn’t really work!
And you can see here how it didn’t. The lines of the original design are vaguely discernible.I also tried the molding paste through a stencil – which does work! And once heated I tipped on various ends of acrylic inks and just let them puddle into each otherI haven’t had chance as yet to play more with this polyester tissue but I know I will do as it really has got great potential. You can buy it from the Gallery Textiles website – yet another mail order site to get carried away on. *LOL*

I needed to order some more Iron Gall ink this week and while browsing saw this and couldn’t resist it:
A Chinese Ink Stick. Quite probably most of you will have come across these before but I must admit that I haven’t and I just couldn’t believe how detailed they are. The design on the stick is raised, and goes right around the back along with Chinese wording at the top, and all in its own box. And it wasn’t just me – I showed it to the chaps at work and they were all intrigued too. When I first saw it I had to check the invoice because I thought ‘for heavens sake, how much have I paid for this?’ and was amazed when I saw it was only £1.70. !!
Still haven’t any idea what to use it for but sure I will think of something. :)

And saving the best bit until last, also received this book in the post this week.Its a fabulous book. Only wish I could show you some of what is inside. I’m not one for making jewellery but there are a few pieces in here that I am determined to have a go at but for me it is the techniques used to make the jewellery that are really interesting, lots of ideas. Its already had some really good reviews.
And what makes it even better is that its written by a blogging friend, Shirley, whose blog you will find here. Well worth a look - both the book and the blog. :)

20 comments:

Vicki W said...

Your work always amazes me!

Linda and Michelle said...

Once again I am blown away with what you do for texture!!! This is amazing stuff!

Judy Alexander said...

Your textures are so incredible! How do you come up with this stuff???

Julie said...

The bodice is beautiful. Anna Nowicki (Serendipity) would be excited by this. The polyester tissue looks fascinating.

Wil said...

the bodice is just gorgeous. Isn't it great how you can change appearances.

Heather said...

Your experiments are stunning and the bodice is wonderful. The Chinese ink stick is too beautiful to use! I'd just like looking at it. The book looks very interesting - oh dear, I'm trying not to buy anything else for a while.

Susan D said...

Wow you've been busy again haven't you. I love the bodice you'd never guess it was made from paper.

The ink stick can be used in Calligraphy or chinese brush painting. You put a few drops of water into a special ink stone and gradually grind the end into it until you get the consistency you want. You can get it in colour as well.

I wouldn't want to use it either, too nice to ruin.

Sandy said...

Wonderful surfaces.

Ashley said...

The texture of the material is really great - I love that you can change the identity of a material through your process.

Dorothy Gibbs said...

Hi, Loved the textured tissue. I came across a box full of these ink sticks this week while clearing my house for moving! As you say, almost too beautifull to use. However,they are meant for calligraphy and one grinds them into water on special ink stone. I intend to renew my aquaintance with calligraphy after the move!
Dorothy

TracyB said...

Hard to believe that you had all of those beautiful colors "just laying around",not being used lol :) (I know I'm such a snit!!)

The bodice is gorgeous as well as your samples!!!

PatStudio said...

This work is just amazing. And inspiring. Thanks for showing. Pat

Caroline Moore said...

Love the tissue paper effect - it looks amazing and thanks for sharing. I ordered teh jewellery book after reading your blog also, well, you know how it is, I need it lol.

Keep up all the great work, you are always an inspiration. xx

neki desu said...

interesting tissue material and lovely corset.
are you going into fashion now ?:)
chinese ink sticks are a dream to work with, so are the brushes.
going away to some sort of retreat and will think about my relationship with surface textures.
back in a week

Unknown said...

how come I missed this, fabulous bodice, the colours and texture are gorgeous.

Françoise said...

Beautiful work!
And now you need a Chinese stone to grind your ink stick!

Anonymous said...

Amazing! The bodice is beautiful and your textures are incredible.

The WestCountryBuddha said...

Allo Purplemissus! Just checking to see that I had the right email address for your invite to the foq blog. If you haven't received anything in the last couple of days, could you get in touch because I've obviously done something wrong! Annabel x

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

I adore your textures. Your bodice does look just like texture, but it looks so soft. I really love your work Lynda

Carolyn

Carol Wiebe said...

Just utterly fantastic! Phenomenal! I am not often speechless. I will have to take a looooooooong look at your work and wonder why I haven't found it before this. . . .