Monday, August 9, 2010

Magical classes ......

As you know I've been taking part in the "Patchwork Beasts" online class with Jude Hill. What a fun and magical time it has been...its like creating your own little fairy tale in cloth and thread. I found it difficult at times as these 'beasts' need faces ..... with Jude's coaxing and patience as a teacher we all came up with some wonderful 'beasts'.
Below is one of my pieces from the classes...still a work in progress. Lots of embellishing, details to come, to bring the story cloth to life. My inspiration was my kitten (6 mths). She's so cheeky and inquisitive, but quite the little lady. She loves to sit out in the sun in the garden. I've used some old linen I dyed with onion skins a while back, some old indian sari silk for the cats body and tail (bit slippery to stitch, but love the softness). The japanese fabric was a gift at my last art get together from Patsy and some beautiful floral embroidered fabric I've been hoarding for ages (as I cant get any more). Much more to come on this piece though.... click on photos for a closer look.
Jude taught us how to sketch up the faces and them embroider, give them character and personality, let the story begin. Absolutely fantastic classes... thank you Jude.

Dot and Nat at the Spud Shop.



Delicious spud (under all that yummy topping....how healthy were we?) Dont you just love Nat's beautiful bag that I used as a backdrop???
We were out and about in Melbourne. Took a quick trip into Ziguzagu to check out their latest shipments of vintage kimono silks and cottons from Japan. Such a fantastic shop, you can shop for hours and not see half of what's on offer. Dont forget if you're in Melbourne to look up this shop...well worth the visit.
Below is a patchwork pieced horse using some kimono fabrics. I want to make a wall hanging with an oriental theme incorporating this piece. Maybe I will piece some 'Chinese Coins' and 'Chinese Lanterns'. Love the indigo colours which I will use in this piece.





These are some more of the beautiful prints I found at Ziguzagu when I first visited. I love the fabric swatches and think they will look fabulous framed.



Now, for some exciting news. I am off to Switzerland next week. My husband and I are heading over to stay with my eldest son for 4 weeks. Will be a lovely catch up and I will be on the look out for some Caran D'Ache crayons/pencils (Switzerland being the home of Caran D'ache) and also some fabric????
Wake up to see the other souls around you.
Let them affect you.
Live in the center of your Life.
-Sark-
Sending love.....
Jacky xox




39 comments:

Ro Bruhn said...

Jacky your stitching is beautiful, I can't wait to see it in the flesh. A trip to Zigzagu's a real treat, one of my favourite shops. Have a fabulous time in Switzerland, I look forward to hearing all about it and seeing your treasures when you get back.

Dawnie said...

luving the kitty cloth Jackie and all the goodies you show here are just lovely. Your stitching is so inspiring and makes me wish I had more patients.Hope all is well with you.
Hugs
Dawnie T

ArtPropelled said...

There are some beautiful elements in your beast piece and I love your patchwork horse as well. Zigzagu sounds like a dream shop. Have a wonderful time in Switzerland, lucky girl!

Cotton Picker said...

Jacky, your patchwork beast is wonderful. I look foward to seeing the finished piece.

kathyd said...

Jacky I love your beast .
Isn't that class wonderful?
I am still working on my beast.
Thank you for sharing.

Caterina Giglio said...

beautiful work Jacky!! love judes blog and bet her class is wonderful!! have a fun trip!! how exciting!!

Deborah said...

Wonderful work! I love the kitty's face. Have a great trip.

Anonymous said...

Your kitty cloth is delightful. Enjoy Switzerland! Somewhere I've always wanted to go.

Elizabeth said...

I love your wonderful Beasts stitching!!!! Great job using the beloved hoarded floral fabric- now it will not be stuck in a drawer somewhere!!!
Have a fabulous trip to Switzerland what a lovely place for your son to settle!!! Safe travels and can't wiat to hear all about it when you return!!

Anonymous said...

I am loving what your'e doing here..

and no doubt the blog drought has produced some fantastic fibre and stitch - rich reward I bet.

Dot said...

Ooh...I like the look of this Jacky. And look forward to seeing it on Saturday (and meeting the kitties of course). Good to see you using some of that precious fabric too.
Your stitching is beautiful as always and your little kitty is gorgeous and quirky.
Dot xx

Nat Palaskas said...

Great post Jacky, love the photos at the spud shop, thank you! Your beast storycloth is gorgeous, cute kitten sitting in the sun. I must put mine together as a storycloth too.
Have a lovely time in Switzerland. Hugs
Nats

Connie said...

Love your cat. It is so cute. I see a story waiting to happen.

Nic Hohn said...

Love seeing your creative adventures. Can't wait to see what inspires you whilst you're away. Big hugs to you dear Jacky

grace Forrest~Maestas said...

jacky...the colors are so beautiful and you did a magnificant face that is exactly how you describe the kitten...
i will think of you in Switzerland
as i study the changes in the toad
spa....i love all the different
worlds...

Sharon Tomlinson said...

Jacky your kitty beast is wonderful but I'm in love with your blue horse. Oh how lucky you are to be spending a week in Switzerland.

Karen said...

have an amazing time in Switzerland you lucky girl!!

Seth said...

I have read a lot about Jude's class on the blogs. Looks so cool. And I love how your piece is coming along. Fantastic colors.

Peggy Beck said...

Jacky I love your little kitten and the work in general. It is so beautiful. Am looking forward to what you do beyond this. You are an inspiration.

Suzanna said...

Jacky your latest beast is very endearing...have a wonderful trip...

martha brown said...

Your work from Jude's class is wonderful -- I'm hoping to take the next one!

Jen xo said...

Jacky your stitching is wonderful as usual and love your kitty face!

Canrt wait to get to zigzagu again and stock up, its a lovely place...
Have a fantastic trip and look forward to seeing your photos and goodies when you get back...jenxo

Corrine said...

Lovely stitching, I adore the colours. Have fun in Switzerland

Anonymous said...

Beautiful stitching Jacky. A wonderful post filled with inspiring moments. Have an awesome trip.

Patti G. said...

Jacky, what a wonderful class and your piece is magical!!!!!!!
I love the kitty and her embroidered face and all your details and more to come too! Wheeeeeee!
Sending hugs,Patti

Linda Vincent said...

Jacky I LOVE the face on that kitten...its going to be a wonderful collage with all those special fabrics and stitches. The patchwork horse is looking good too; such lovely soft blue fabric.
And is there really a SPUD under all that topping? Oh my........
Hugs
Linda x
Have a fab time in Switzerland you lucky girl!

lynne h said...

hey sweet jacky, i'm just getting around to some blog looking... i think that what you're doing with stitching these days is the heart and soul of wonderful! i just love it... have a safe and happy trip to switzerland... and keep your eye out for any caran d'ache products. ; ) xoxo

juliaD said...

Hi Jacky,
Thanks I had a great time, and am shivering back here in Melb.
I love the horse, cant wait to see the finished slow cloth piece!... and all your new work, love the Japanese shop you and Dot visited and will get there soon myself now...xx..julia

leanne pizio said...

Jacky,
I adore your kitty beast. Just beautiful. Have such a wonderful time in Switzerland.
ps. I have some kimono fabric I found in Japan that I think you would love. I am cleaning out the stash and I would love to gift it to you if you think that you would like to have it. Let me know and I can ship it your way.
Leanne

The Itsy Bitsy Spill said...

Jacky Good Morning it's 7:44am visiting blogs and here I am visiting your inspiring blog. What an inspiring post. I admire your beautiful art stitch work so lovely!

Thank you for your lovely visit and comment!

cheers hon!

Pursuing Art... said...

Dearest Jacky,

I'm sorry to be away for so long, I've missed visiting you! I had a lovely time catching up with your posts today. I was anxious to get back and see your slow cloth quilt and it looks just beautiful! I love that you are taking the Patchwork Beasts class from Jude..I would have enjoyed taking that class a lot. The kitty on your story cloth is darling...absolutely love her face! I'm looking forward to seeing more as you progress.

That is a great picture of Dot and Nat and those spuds...yummy!!! You girls are always sharing the *best* food pictures! Makes my mouth water. :)

Your trip to Ziguzagu sounded like such fun! Love the patchwork pieced horse using kimono fabric that you've started...it will be delightful.

Your new kitten, Minnie, is adorable! Love her stripes and markings. I also wanted to say that I am so taken with your paintings, they are really fabulous! You have a such a talent there also and need to keep painting.

How exciting to visit your son, for a month, in Switzerland! Have the best time, Jacky!!! XOX ~Lisa

P.S. Thank you for your thoughtful and sweet comment you left on my post. Safe travels, talk soon.

Needled Mom said...

It will be fun to see the progress.

Have a wonderful visit.

jude said...

have a great trip, coming by so late to see your progress.... been away for a while, resting up after all the excitement in class. ha!

rivergardenstudio said...

Jacky! Switzerland!!! I hope you are having a fabulous visit. I love your fabric cat and you horse, and everything that you share, like the spud shop and the fabrics. You sound very happy and make me smile with all that you create! roxanne

dining table said...

You look so gorgeous in those pictures. I can see that you really have a great day. What I really love about this post is the picture of that delicious looking food. I wonder how yummy it is.

Julia said...

Beautiful colours, I love the stitch work and how you use things like onion skins to dye lovely textiles. You are a breath of fresh air and so inspiring - plus I always enjoy the Sark quotes at the end of your posts!

Sending love your way,
Julia

ps - yes that bag is to die for! :D

The Itsy Bitsy Spill said...

Jacky hello hon!

The painting is available! Let me know if you want it reserved for you. AlSO I JUST MADE PRINTS OF THE PAINTING!

hAVE A LOVELY TRIP!!!

mUAAAAA!!! oHIKA

Juliette Crane said...

you are so inspiring! i just adore your beautiful blog and artwork! i'm a terrible quilter and sewer, so this adorable piece really makes me smile! i'm happy to have happened over to your lovely space here, and can't wait to stop back again!

best wishes and happy creating!
xo, juliette

Catherine V. Bainbridge said...

Jackie, I'm dropping in on blogging friends today, (although see I'm a little late on getting in on this one...40 comments already...you're a popular gal!!!) Love that beastly kitten cloth! Best Wishes to ya! Catherine