Text(iles) - Olwyn's Gourd

Olwyn and I played around a bit with her gourd-design since its a theme in her embroidery. In the second one, the O is a gourd and the U suggests a vessel. I've added a photo of a very old gourd I have which was repaired while it was being made. It has since cracked but it is about 50 years old. Olwyn, I would love to see your work on this theme when it is complete!

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3X5 cut letters

A 20 minute warm-up doing cut 3X5 letters. All the letters except M, W and I are 3X5 and they "work" because the straight sides sorts the spacing.

Jackie, Marian, Janet, Hilary and "Gourds" by Olwyn

This is such a useful alphabet for group work. with kids, teachers, calligraphers, embroiderers! It's chunky so can be cut out.  Its an alphabet I learnt in 1982 in banner making, long before my involvement with calligraphy. The idea is to cut the letter sizes by eye, and then cut out the negative spaces, using paper or fabric. This casualness creates a dynamic variation of letters. 

I give these away because they are really useful and promotes the making of letters. They can give a great deal of pleasure to kids and novices! Cut them out in patterned fabrics, glue them on and you have fun banners!

Tomorrow we'll see the beginnings of Olwyn's gourd design.

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Golden Stitchery

The Printmakers had an exhibition at Dorchester Abbey which is only about 15 miles form me, so we popped in to have a look on Sunday. There was some great work there.

 The abbey is a beautiful cathedral and fabulous venue. I took photos of the altar and lectern cloths because I liked them so much.

I love the juxtaposition of all those patterns, - the tiles, stained glass windows, Gothic lettering, gold fabric mix - yummy yummy. And then the way the golds are mixed. It has the Klimt richness without looking derivative.

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