Now this first one probably needs a bit of explanation.

You might recall that from time to time I exhibit with two other stitchers in Milton Keynes under the banner of Mix3d Stitch.

This year we are planning a couple of outings under the Mix3d Stitch banner.

The first one is "Shape and Form - Textiles Inspired by Architecture":




And pattern using squares.

I have not done any test prints yet with these. That will be the next step.

Hello dear reader.

So how is the daily art practice going?


As I mentioned before, I have been very disciplined of late and have been keeping a simple little sketchbook.  

Dear reader - if you peruse these little meanderings from time to time you may know that I have been a bit active since Christmas. But while I have been laying down new background papers, something has been missing from the creative process - an artistic itch if you like.

It has been a little while since I have been gripped by the nuisance that is insomnia. It's blooming frustrating I can tell you, especially when you're laying there getting more and more frustrated by the fact that sleep eludes you and all you can hear is the gentle snoring of your two canine companions!

So I sprayed it with pale blue ink (using Brusho powder) and darker ink using Procion Dye.  I would also have used a sand Brusho ink, but the nozzle was blocked (don't you just hate that!)


The Procion ink was very dark, so I blotted it with paper towel (and got a bit mucky to boot!)

Then I selected two acrylic paints, watered them down a tad and applied them with makeup sponges.  I sort of followed the 'corner, corner, side' technique to make a nice blended background.


Then I got some blue heavy body acrylic and mixed that with the pinks, to make an almost purplish blue.

I'm liking this.
I rummaged around in my collection of handmade print blocks.  These are the arches used in last years Horizons quilt.





 And then a bit more rummaging through the print block tins, and low, I came upon this gem!  A piece of polystyrene cut from a pizza base (I think).


And this is what the page looked like after the two stamp blocks had been pressed into service.


Another stamp block!  This one was a real fiddle to make.



And then I found these letter stamps.  I think I bought these in Hobbycraft.  They were pristine and new.


I used an ink stamp to load up the letters and print on the page.


And finally, I added some gold ink. (it had gone a bit congealed, but still worked).


Jewel like colours!


 The finished page.





And here is the super sophisticated Procion Dye spray ink bottle. (obviously I washed it out thoroughly first!)


And then, because there was a good play on the radio, which hadn't finished, I gessoed some old Christmas cards.  I am thinking small handmake book with these.



Definitely a very productive Wednesday.

Tomorrow I have to decide how much of the studio to pack and take South to Portsmouth for a long weekend.  Difficult, I always want to take it all!