Far away

Far away

I haven't been blogging, but that doesn't mean I've been idle. My regular blog friends will know I was part of the West End Studio Tour the last two weekends, which kept me pretty busy! Then there was the clean up, putting away and getting my studio back in order. Then I got a Blackberry. Need I say more? The learning curve is pretty steep with these fancy gizmos. While my son feels I've finally entered the 21st Century, I think I was happier with my old plain phone. Still, it is nice to whittle down the email while waiting in a line.

Still, I did update the galleries on my web sites, so I am getting some stuff done online!! My fingernails are far too long, so my typing is a mess, but I keep on trucking!!

This piece is called Far Away. It's created using paverpol. I experimented with sheer silk for the sleeves and lace on the bodice. Both worked out very well, though the sleeves didn't set rock hard. I like her dreamy look, don't you?

She sits on a small shelf, which can be mounted on the wall. I'll put her on my Etsy store one of these days, I promise!!

Studio Tour Time!

A pretty busy picture, but when I am getting ready for the Tour, I have no time to set up backgrounds. I'm still working on my regular work too, remember?


Anyway, The Marquis is a polymer clay work, with fabric clothing. I made him a black cane to go in that right hand. I just happened to have a chair that fit, which my DH found for me. Saves me making a chair. Furniture takes so long to create.


If you are in Ottawa, come see the tour this weekend and next September 17, 18, 24 and 25th.

Idris

Idris Arises~! The dragon is finished at last.  It took many shots to get this photo. It was hard to show all the facets of this creature. He has gills at the sides, for proper inhalation when creating fiery breath, double nostrils, for ventilation when breathing fire. One wouldn't want to super heat one's nose, you know!


His front limbs have extra armour on them. The wings are wet felted over wire and organza, which I burnt. Love my burning tool!!


His pose was meant to be more upright, but his head got too heavy. next time, I'll use heavier wire. Live and learn!!


If you are in Ottawa, come see me at the Studio Tour! I'm at 503 Piccadilly Avenue!!

Wordless Wednesday

West End Studio Tour

This piece is called Far Away. It's created using fabric and Paverpol and is mounted on a tiny shelf. It's ready for the West End Studio Tour. the Vernissage is tonight at Wall Space Gallery on Wellington Street, Ottawa.


Very exciting, very busy time. I'm trying ot add images to my business cards, but my printer has light stirpes and I'm out of blank cards. off to staples I go!!


Wish me luck.  I have 17 new pieces this year, a record for me!

Wordless Wednesday

1812 gown debuts

Leslie had her debut in her 1812 gown recemtly at Willimastown. She looks lovely. The wonderful thing about getting photos like this, is seeing the client with their hair done, the accessories and in a lovely setting. Love the parasol! 


Sorry, I didn't note the name of the handsome soldier who accompanied her.


Leslie gave a short talk on the War of 1812 in this gown. It was the first of many Parks Canada events for this star of history!

1776 Colonial Williamsburg

 As you may recall, I went to Colonial Williamsburg this August. I'm still sifting through my images. Here are two, of a lovely silk gown. The top one shows the front, with the petticoat. The ruffled trim is hand-cut organza. The edges have been pinked. The entire dress is hand sewn. A petticoat would support the skirt, plus pannier hoops at the hips. I can only say - Gorgeous!

 These pictures don't do the dress justice. The floral motifs are hand embroidered. Again, construction is entirely hand sewn. The style is a saque-back gown, meaning pleats fall gracefully from the shoulder, fitted over the back to the waist. The ladies I saw wearing these gowns looked lovely. Back then. the fitting was generally made while being worn. No paper patterns ion 1776! 

I'll find one of Martha Washington to share with you soon.

Wordless Wednesday

Barricade

Dragon time

Idris

Finished! Idris has arisen! My husband kept telling me he wasn't fierce enough, so he acquired fangs, lower lids to narrow his eyes and horns. I added the wings last week. They have a wire support, and I wet felted fiber over the organza. Then I went to town with my burning tool. I get such satisfaction out of burning design into things! Perhaps I'm a closet pyromaniac.

Photgraphing him was another challenge. I tried indoors with lights, but the colours came out wrong. Outdoors, the wind kept blowing my background paper about. Still, the colour is better. The photos still don't do it justice.

I learn as I go. The wire armature will need to be heavier next time, to support the pose. Plan for the head to be heavier, which affects the balance. Learning as I go. Next in my life comes a new phone. How long till I can figure that out?