Pip Notes: Art and Musings By Pilar

Man vs. Wild-New Episodes

Hurray! New episodes of Man vs. Wild start tonight on Discovery. Check your local listings. Be there or be square.

In the meantime, enjoy this commerical from last Fall's season.

Discovery-I Love The World

Mr. Grylls is the one holding the freaky spider.

Man vs Wild, The Book

Man vs. Wild Companion Book has finally be released. Like a true obsessed fan, I pre-ordered this over a year ago. You can get it here.

This, That and The Other

I made this Rubblework Scarf with Kathy Mack's fabulous pattern available through her website, Pink Chalk Studio. I used a few new fabrics from Sandi Henderson for Michael Miller's Ginger Blossom line. The scarf turned out a bit more patchworky than I would have liked, but my friend has a gypsy soul so I think it will work out fine (fingers crossed).

This baby bloomed this last week before my eyes. This is what happens when you feed the wild birds black oil sunflower seeds. Thank you, birdies.

I found this picture today of Kona while going through my digital card and catching up on my cataloging. I can't believe the hat stayed on her head long enough to take a picture.

Now that John Adams is over, I can devote my complete attention to The Tudors. I have had mixed feelings as I knew time grew short for Sir Thomas Moore, played by my dear Jeremy Northam. One of the drawbacks of using history as the bases of your script is the fact the audience knows the end of the story. With or without Mr. Northam I will continue to watch the show because it quite addicting and I am dying to see (no pun intended) to see how they will interpret the events of the Tudor/Boyln fall out. I can't wait for next Sunday's episode!

 

Get Your Stitch On

My order from Sublime Stitching just arrived and I can’t wait to start embroidering these designs- This ain’t your Grandma’s embroidery as Sublime’s Jenny Hart says. How fun are these?

I found Jenny’s company through her book, Sublime Stitching. It is a great book for beginners and advance needlers. What I like about this book is Hart’s easy going and encouraging tone. She takes the intimation out of the craft by laying out the basics for anyone and everyone to understand. Plus, she includes a huge amount of embroidery transfers, which can be used up to 8 times and tips on how to create your own design.

I haven’t made anything with Sublime’s transfers yet, but I sketched out this picture of the Sacred Heart on a tea towel yesterday. I stitched away while watching CSI and  by the time the show ended I was done. Mind you I have been embroidering and needle pointing for years so if you are new to the art it might take you a bit longer. I used simple stitches for this piece and not the complex stitching I would use for crazy quilting or traditional wedding gifts.

Another fun book is Doodle Stitching: Fresh and Fun Embroidery for Beginners by Aimme Ray. This book does not’t include transfers, but Ray does give detailed project instructions.

Both books give you easy to follow diagrams for stitches, project patterns and ideas, the 411 on supplies, and all the fodder you need to get your stitch on so bust out those needles, hoop and floss!

Fabric, Needle, Thread: The Art of Meditation

Every now and then, I need to retreat to the comfort of construction. Whether it be a recipe, an embroidery hoop or the tatatatata of my sewing machine I am able to let go. There is something every so relaxing by following a set of shapes and lines, knowing it will manifest into form and function. There is a freedom when I do not have to think and thus surrender to the components of a formula. I do not have to dive deep and dig into the recesses of my mind to find that spark of creation. Instead, I can bypass the mental and creative expedition and work upon the foundation created by others.

Lately, I have taken up fabric, needle and thread to refill my creative well. I have had good reason to as I have had some overdue gifts to create. One of my favorite things to do when I know someone is expecting a child is to dig into my stash of fabric and make a hand made good. I remember as a child some of my favorite things were the toys, clothing, and other fun stuff my Grandma Eloise made for me. I could feel the love in each stitch and these items, although worn with time, hold precious memories for me.

My cousin, Cherrish, recently had her first child and I thought I better get to work. Through the excellent resources and links of Sew, Mama, Sew I found a gold mine of baby present tutorials.

Soft Fabric Balls and Blocks: I made these soft fabric balls from Tanya's tutorial.  Check out Ester of London Mummy a step by step tutorial for her fabric baby blocks.  Ester has some great fabric structures and tips on her blog. I have no idea how to play Otemada, but Melynida's creation makes me want to learn to play.

For the older child, Cindy's instructions for a Crayon Roll is the perfect accessory for your budding artist.       I made this one the other day.

  Bibs: Nicole's Fabulous Fifties Bib, Nested's Basic Bib, Jill's Bib, and  Amy's Basic Chenille Bib tutorials are all rockin'. I used Nested's tutorial for these three.

Burp Cloths: Barb's Burp Cloths are just delightful and easy too! Jill's tutorial is just as cool.

I thank these amazingly talented women for their generosity and skill. 

National Poetry Month-Corpus Christi Carol

My very good friend, Kelly, reminded me April is National Poetry Month. I realized I am a week late in my celebration of verse, song, and lyric. In this post I would like to share with you one of my favorite poems, Corpus Christi Carol and a bit of the lyric's history.

Lulley, lully, lulley, lully,
The faucon hath born my mak away.

He bare hym up, he bare hym down,
He bare hym into an orchard brown.

In that orchard ther was an hall,
That was hanged with purpill and pall.

And in that hall ther was a bede,
Hit was hangid with gold so rede.

And yn that bed ther lythe a knyght,
His wowndes bledyng day and nyght.

By that bedes side ther kneleth a may,
And she wepeth both nyght and day.
And by that bedes side ther stondith a ston,
"Corpus Christi "

wretyn theron.

From Wikipedia-Corpus Christi Carol is a Middle or Early Modern English hymn (or carol), first found in a manuscript written around 1504 of an apprentice grocer named Richard Hill. The original writer of the carol remains anonymous.

The predominant theory about the meaning of the carol is that it is concerned with the legend of the Holy Grail. In Arthurian traditions of the Grail story, the Fisher King is the knight who is the Grail's protector, and whose legs are perpetually wounded. Another theory is that the text is an allegory where Christ, referenced in the Crucifixion, is a wounded knight. One recent interpretation is that it was composed about the execution of Anne Boleyn, wife of Henry VIII, whose badge was a falcon. However, since Anne Boleyn was killed in 1536 and the earliest copy carol yet found is from 1504, this is most unlikely.

                                                                                                

For those you who would like to hear the words put to music, the late Jeff Buckley recorded a breathtaking version on his cd, Grace.

Up for air

Image: The Sleeping Gypsy by Henri Rousseau

As you can tell from my delay of posting I have been not been present in cyber space. The turn of the year brought three golden projects, which have kept my attentions and energy elsewhere. I can not divulge the contents or context of this work, but it has been some of the most important art I have created in a very long time. Not only have these projects allowed me to challenge my artistic boundaries, but they have also have been an incredible teaching tool for self reflection and discovery. I have realized the depth of my inclination to intellectualize my art. I suppose it is a direct reflection of my years in the academic arena, which has created a deep seeded need to impose rules and parameters of my artistic interpretations. I have come to realize the art I am most content with is rooted within my subconscious and the surrender to the immediate, the spontaneous, and the spark of momentary inspiration.

Winter often encourages me to withdraw and retreat into a hibernation of sorts. This year my art has been the setting for this time and space. As the days have begun to lengthen I feel as if it is time for me to come up for air and make my way back into the waking world. Like the sleeping gypsy, I hope the magic of my retreat will be with me as I return.

In Memoriam

Arthur C. Clarke

1917-2008

Metallic Foil Technique Tutorial-Make Your Own Wrapping Paper

In a previous post, I discussed using metallic foiling as one of my grunge techniques. Last December, I participated in a Christmas exchange and used this technique to make my own wrapping paper. Here is how I made my wrap.

Supplies:

1 Paper Grocery Bag

Iron

1 tube of Jones Foil in gold, copper, or silver

WonderUnder or Bondalight

Craft paint: 2 dark, one light

Rubber stamps and/or Foam Stamps

Parchement or freezer paper

Two paint brushes large enough to create a wash

A foam brush or sponge

Water

Plastic plate, lid or whatever you use for a palette base

Paper towels

1. Take your grocery bag and cut it open until it is one large piece of paper.
2. Crumple up bag and I mean really crumple. I find I will crumple the bag up, smooth it out, and then crumple from another direction.
3. Smooth out paper bag blank side facing up. On a low heat, iron the bag flat. Be careful not to iron out the new texture of wrinkles.
4. Take a bottle of one dark craft paint and create a wash, diluting the paint with water. You will want to create a transparent effect making sure you can see the bag beneath. To create a more vintage look, leave large areas of the paper bag unpainted or lightly painted. To create a more altered look, cover bag with transparent wash. Once dry, repeat process with your second dark color.
5. Taking your light color of paint, apply to your stamps. Either using a foam brush or sponge and lightly dab the paint on the surface of the stamp to ensure even coverage. Press your loaded stamp on the paper with even pressure and remove.
6. When dry look at your painted paper and isolate the areas you would like to place your foil. Once done, tear or cut a piece of iron on adhesive (wonder under, etc) and place in that area. Follow the manufactures instructions. Once ironed, pull protective backing off of adhesive. Gently rub foil sheet on hot glue.
7. After you have affixed your foil through out, let paper cool for one hour. This will let the glue and foil to fix. Once your paper is nice and cool, you are good to go!

 

Tips:

1. Brown paper lunch bags are too thin for this project.
2. When selecting colors, you think about what colors will work together.
3. Make sure when selecting a light color consider how it will either pop or mute against the two darker colors.
4. If your stamping is uneven, never fear. The variation of an uneven stamping lends texture and interest to your over all piece.
5. When you use an iron on your paper make sure you are on an even and flat surface.
6. You can find Wonder Under and Bondalight at your local fabric stores. Please, please follow manufacture’s instructions.
7. If the adhesive cools before you have finish foiling, place a piece of bakers parchment or freezer paper on top of area and re-iron. The parchment/freezer paper will protect your iron from burning the adhesive and wrecking your iron head.
8. When applying your iron on adhesive, make sure you will not be accidentally ironing another area in the process, which has already been foiled. If so, iron from a different angle or cover previous foiled area with freezer paper.
9. When selecting your stamps choose ones, which lean on the side of bold vs. detailed. I use stamps with large graphics which are easier to paint as well as stand out on the paper. I have found some great foam stamps in the craft and children’s section at Michaels.
10. Once used, remember to wash your stamps immediately!
11. If your paper leans on the gloss side you may have some exposed adhesive, which has cooled and dry. Try one coat of a matte varnish to even the paper’s finish out. You may want to bypass the foil sections so you do not dim their shine.
12. Since the texture and weight of your paper has increased it might be a little difficult to fold when using as wrap. Take a bone folder, score desired lines and smooth with edge. If the paper is still too thick, wrap package in a complimentary solid color and then take pieces of your decorative paper, gluing them through out the wrap.

In a previous post, I discussed using metallic foiling as one of my grunge techniques. Last December, I participated in a Christmas exchange and used this technique to make my own wrapping paper. Here is how I made my wrap.

Supplies:

1 Paper Grocery Bag

Iron

1 tube of Jones Foil in gold, copper, or silver

WonderUnder or Bondalight

Craft paint: 2 dark, one light

Rubber stamps and/or Foam Stamps

Parchement or freezer paper

Two paint brushes large enough to create a wash

A foam brush or sponge

Water

Plastic plate, lid or whatever you use for a palette base

Paper towels

1. Take your grocery bag and cut it open until it is one large piece of paper.
2. Crumple up bag and I mean really crumple. I find I will crumple the bag up, smooth it out, and then crumple from another direction.
3. Smooth out paper bag blank side facing up. On a low heat, iron the bag flat. Be careful not to iron out the new texture of wrinkles.
4. Take a bottle of one dark craft paint and create a wash, diluting the paint with water. You will want to create a transparent effect making sure you can see the bag beneath. To create a more vintage look, leave large areas of the paper bag unpainted or lightly painted. To create a more altered look, cover bag with transparent wash. Once dry, repeat process with your second dark color.
5. Taking your light color of paint, apply to your stamps. Either using a foam brush or sponge and lightly dab the paint on the surface of the stamp to ensure even coverage. Press your loaded stamp on the paper with even pressure and remove.
6. When dry look at your painted paper and isolate the areas you would like to place your foil. Once done, tear or cut a piece of iron on adhesive (wonder under, etc) and place in that area. Follow the manufactures instructions. Once ironed, pull protective backing off of adhesive. Gently rub foil sheet on hot glue.
7. After you have affixed your foil through out, let paper cool for one hour. This will let the glue and foil to fix. Once your paper is nice and cool, you are good to go!

 

Tips:

1. Brown paper lunch bags are too thin for this project.
2. When selecting colors, you think about what colors will work together.
3. Make sure when selecting a light color consider how it will either pop or mute against the two darker colors.
4. If your stamping is uneven, never fear. The variation of an uneven stamping lends texture and interest to your over all piece.
5. When you use an iron on your paper make sure you are on an even and flat surface.
6. You can find Wonder Under and Bondalight at your local fabric stores. Please, please follow manufacture’s instructions.
7. If the adhesive cools before you have finish foiling, place a piece of bakers parchment or freezer paper on top of area and re-iron. The parchment/freezer paper will protect your iron from burning the adhesive and wrecking your iron head.
8. When applying your iron on adhesive, make sure you will not be accidentally ironing another area in the process, which has already been foiled. If so, iron from a different angle or cover previous foiled area with freezer paper.
9. When selecting your stamps choose ones, which lean on the side of bold vs. detailed. I use stamps with large graphics which are easier to paint as well as stand out on the paper. I have found some great foam stamps in the craft and children’s section at Michaels.
10. Once used, remember to wash your stamps immediately!
11. If your paper leans on the gloss side you may have some exposed adhesive, which has cooled and dry. Try one coat of a matte varnish to even the paper’s finish out. You may want to bypass the foil sections so you do not dim their shine.
12. Since the texture and weight of your paper has increased it might be a little difficult to fold when using as wrap. Take a bone folder, score desired lines and smooth with edge. If the paper is still too thick, wrap package in a complimentary solid color and then take pieces of your decorative paper, gluing them through out the wrap.