For every project I do for myself, I have to make one for the shop. That means in order to reach my two project/week goal, I have to make at least one for the shop. If I decide I want to make two projects just for me, I have to make two for the shop. Yes, that's twice the work load. However, the thing I've been hearing most is "I think you need more in your shop!" That may mean a flood of new mini paintings, but darn it, at least I'll be doing something! And mini paintings might just be the perfect avenue to explore comic style illustration, for the Zornow Challenge!
Did I just tie all my little goals together with a neat little goal? Yes, yes I think I did. :)
Also, TMSS#16:
To the dog: "I know you just want to get at my face chop!"
Showing posts with label Yubinuki. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yubinuki. Show all posts
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Many Project Weekend
What a productive weekend! I baked my very first home made loaf of bread. Yum! I also completed my first yubinuki thimble!
It's not all that pretty, but it's not bad for a first try! Much was learned in the making, and it's still functional so I won't count it a loss.
I also completed the second of two meditation bags I was commissioned to make. Since they are spiritual in nature and have personal symbols, I opted not to photograph them. It's just not my place. But they're black velvet, lined, and embroidered with silver thread. I must say, I'm pretty proud of them, and my client was extremely pleased!
Remember that beautiful fabric I found? Well it became the Gathered Clutch from Noodlehead.
Gathered Front
Back - See how great this fabric is?!
Interior with card holders - Mine has four slots instead of two.
Interior with divider.
It was surprisingly easy to construct. It's not a beginner project, but it's not a challenging one, and the result is just lovely. I'm still not certain I like the light pink on the outside, but the darker swirly stuff looked just too busy with everything else that was going on. I have enough for a second one, so perhaps I'll try it and see. And since this was a gift to Rachel, and she's 100% happy with the light pink, I won't worry too much about it.
I also brought in a haul of patterns, spending only about $25. When my receipt said I saved $68, I was very glad I decided to go in that day! Good thinking, Rachel!
And lastly, since Rachel's had too many flaky artists, I've decided to learn comic style illustration. This began of course with the Zornow Challenge. I'm also looking at some great art from the classics like CREEPY, EERIE, and anything by Bernie Wrightson. I picked up his Frankenstein at this amazing comic shop in Salem. This is the art on the cover, and if you've ever seen the inside, well it's perfection in pen and ink. In any case, here are my meager beginnings. I spent some time just copying artwork, and then decided it was going to make more sense to do my own. So I found this portrait of Jacopo Tintoretto and tried my hand at the illustration style. It's a work in progress, but I'm pleased, nonetheless.
See where I've left out the shading on his left cheek? I'll get it though, eventually.
It's not all that pretty, but it's not bad for a first try! Much was learned in the making, and it's still functional so I won't count it a loss.
I also completed the second of two meditation bags I was commissioned to make. Since they are spiritual in nature and have personal symbols, I opted not to photograph them. It's just not my place. But they're black velvet, lined, and embroidered with silver thread. I must say, I'm pretty proud of them, and my client was extremely pleased!
Remember that beautiful fabric I found? Well it became the Gathered Clutch from Noodlehead.
Gathered Front
Back - See how great this fabric is?!
Interior with card holders - Mine has four slots instead of two.
Interior with divider.
It was surprisingly easy to construct. It's not a beginner project, but it's not a challenging one, and the result is just lovely. I'm still not certain I like the light pink on the outside, but the darker swirly stuff looked just too busy with everything else that was going on. I have enough for a second one, so perhaps I'll try it and see. And since this was a gift to Rachel, and she's 100% happy with the light pink, I won't worry too much about it.
I also brought in a haul of patterns, spending only about $25. When my receipt said I saved $68, I was very glad I decided to go in that day! Good thinking, Rachel!
And lastly, since Rachel's had too many flaky artists, I've decided to learn comic style illustration. This began of course with the Zornow Challenge. I'm also looking at some great art from the classics like CREEPY, EERIE, and anything by Bernie Wrightson. I picked up his Frankenstein at this amazing comic shop in Salem. This is the art on the cover, and if you've ever seen the inside, well it's perfection in pen and ink. In any case, here are my meager beginnings. I spent some time just copying artwork, and then decided it was going to make more sense to do my own. So I found this portrait of Jacopo Tintoretto and tried my hand at the illustration style. It's a work in progress, but I'm pleased, nonetheless.
See where I've left out the shading on his left cheek? I'll get it though, eventually.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
First Yubinuki Thimble Complete!
Well I did it. I finished my first "silk" thimble! It's not pretty, but I'm still proud of it. It works very well. Just to test it, I pushed a needle through the seam of some jeans, and it was no trouble at all. It just doesn't feel as cumbersome as the metal bucket thimbles I'm used to. Hopefully the next one looks better. They'd make wonderful little gifts!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Lessons on Yubinuki
I recently came across the art of temari, and its use in creating beautiful yubinuki, or thimbles. I'm nearing completion of my first, and while it's not pretty, it was definitely a valuable learning experience. Some tips:
1. Use the form to create the ring base, but remove it when you start stitching. That's what allows you the beautiful edges the pros pull off.
2. Don't use thin cardboard, like the kind from cereal boxes, for your ring base. Stick to card stock, or poster board. Anything more is too heavy and cumbersome, and there's a distinct seam in the ring.
3. The finer the thread, the smoother the look of the finished product.
4. Don't stitch through the edge of your paper. Use it as a guide for where to put your stitches, but if you sew through it, you'll perforate it, and it will pull up, and cause all kinds of trouble that you just don't need.
5. When you think you have enough batting, use more. It compresses quite a bit.
6. Thread tension is important, especially in your earlier rows. They will loosen as you continue around the thimble, so be sure those first ones are SNUG!
7. Knots will ruin your time faster than you can believe, so if you find your thread wanting to knot, use shorter threads! You'll have to stop and start more often, but you're really better off.
That's all I've got for now, as far as tips the pros don't share. Please let me know if you have any of your own!
1. Use the form to create the ring base, but remove it when you start stitching. That's what allows you the beautiful edges the pros pull off.
2. Don't use thin cardboard, like the kind from cereal boxes, for your ring base. Stick to card stock, or poster board. Anything more is too heavy and cumbersome, and there's a distinct seam in the ring.
3. The finer the thread, the smoother the look of the finished product.
4. Don't stitch through the edge of your paper. Use it as a guide for where to put your stitches, but if you sew through it, you'll perforate it, and it will pull up, and cause all kinds of trouble that you just don't need.
5. When you think you have enough batting, use more. It compresses quite a bit.
6. Thread tension is important, especially in your earlier rows. They will loosen as you continue around the thimble, so be sure those first ones are SNUG!
7. Knots will ruin your time faster than you can believe, so if you find your thread wanting to knot, use shorter threads! You'll have to stop and start more often, but you're really better off.
That's all I've got for now, as far as tips the pros don't share. Please let me know if you have any of your own!
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